# NTSB ERA13LA054: Vans RV-12, N678AD, Williamson, GA, November 10, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 2012, 10:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Williamson, GA
- Coordinates: 33.161109, -84.361114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1611&lon=-84.3611&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Approach: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Approach: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 13, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85572/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85572
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA054

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in a midair collision.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing E75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1380120), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing E75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1380120), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)
- [Approach: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing E75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=1380120), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

An amateur-built Vans RV-12 (RV-12) intended to land at the non-towered airport, while a Boeing E75 (Stearman), which was the lead airplane in a flight of three Stearmans planned to over-fly the airport at the traffic pattern altitude as part of a fly-in event being held at the airport. The pilot of the RV-12 overflew the airport at an altitude of about 600 feet above the traffic pattern altitude and entered a right downwind for runway 13. Both pilots stated that they communicated their respective positions and intentions over the airport's common traffic advisory frequency. In addition, they were attempting to visually acquire each other when the two airplanes collided. Both pilots were subsequently able to land their respective airplanes without further incident. Examination of the airplanes revealed that the lower left side of the RV-12's fuselage just aft of the cowling, and the Stearman's rudder sustained substantial damage. The damage was consistent with the RV-12 flying on a northwest heading and Stearman flying on a northerly heading, at the time of the collision. Weather permitting, each pilot was required to maintain vigilance to see and avoid other aircraft. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On November 10, 2012, about 1055 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-12 (RV-12), N678AD, and a Boeing E75 (Stearman), N1370V, both operated by private individuals, collided in midair while on approach to the Peach State Airport (GA2), Williamson, Georgia. The private pilot in the RV-12 and the airline transport pilot in the Stearman were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed for either flight. The RV-12 departed the Covington Municipal Airport (CVC), Atlanta, Georgia. The Stearman departed Seven Lakes Airport (62GA), Jackson, Georgia. Both airplanes were operated as personal flights in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Peach State airport was a privately owned, non-towered airport with an elevation of about 930 feet mean sea level (msl) and a traffic pattern attitude of 1,800 feet msl. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a Veteran's Day celebration was being held at the airport, and the Stearman was the lead airplane in a flight of three Stearmans that planned to over-fly the airport at an altitude of 1,800 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot of the RV-12 reported that he overflew the airport at an altitude of about 2,000 feet msl and planned to enter a right downwind for runway 13. The Stearman reported that he was flying from south to north and planned to enter a right downwind for runway 13, continue to the northwest, and maneuver back for a 360 degree turn over the runway. Both pilots stated that they communicated their respective positions and intentions over the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). In addition, they were attempting to visually acquire each other when the two airplanes collided. Both pilots were subsequently able to land their respective airplanes without further incident. Examination of the airplanes by an FAA inspector revealed that the lower left side of the RV-12's fuselage, just aft of the cowling, and the Stearman's rudder sustained substantial damage. In addition, the RV-12's nose gear fairing also contained damage consistent with contact with the Stearman's rudder. An approximate 20-inch portion of the top of the Stearman's rudder was folded to the left about 90 degrees. A witness, who was operating the Unicom/CTAF frequency at GA2, stated that the pilot of the RV-12 reported inbound via an overhead to the right downwind for runway 13. He advised the pilot of the RV-12 of two other aircraft entering the downwind for runway 13, who then stated that he would execute a 360 and re-enter the traffic pattern. The witness was observing an airplane clear the runway after landing, when heard the pilot of the Stearman report inbound from the southeast for a practice fly-by. About 1 minute later, the pilot of the RV-12 reported entering the downwind for runway 13. He subsequently observed the Stearman approaching from the south, and the RV-12 approaching from the southeast. He asked theStearman if they had the RV-12 insight; however, just as he released the microphone key, the two airplanes overlapped. He could not tell the approximate position of the two airplanes to each other from his vantage point, and initially believed they experienced a near-miss. The accident was not captured on radar; however, both pilots reported that they were utilizing handheld Garmin global positioning system (GPS) receivers, which were forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, D.C., for data download. The Stearman pilot was utilizing a Garmin GPSMAP 96C; however, flight information for the Stearman could not be extracted due to the record function having been disabled. The RV-12 pilot was utilizing a Garmin GPSMAP 496, which captured the accident flight and revealed that the RV-12 overflew the airport at a GPS altitude of about 2,400 feet and entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 13 about 1054. The RV-12 was at a GPS altitude of about 1,800 feet, a heading of about 310 degrees, and an airspeed of about 85 knots, at the time of the collision. FAA FAR 91.113, Right-of-way rules: Except water operations, stated in part: "…(b) General. When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.…"

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N678AD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N678AD), registered now, S/N 120093, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12
- Registry model: [Vans RV-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/vans-rv-12) (registry code 0690009) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 120093
- Year built: 2010
- Airframe hours: 150
- Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2012, 5 hours before
- Departed: CVC, Atlanta, GA
- Destination: GA2, Williamson, GA
- Airport: GA2, Peach State, runway 13, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N1370V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1370V), registered now, S/N 75-5185, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING E75
- Registry model: [Boeing E75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-e75) (registry code 1380120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming R680-4P-B4](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680-4p-b4) (registry code 41542, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-5185
- Year built: 1943
- Airframe hours: 928
- Engines: Continental W670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2012, 33 hours before
- Departed: 62GA, Jackson, GA
- Destination: GA2, Williamson, GA
- Airport: GA2, Peach State, runway 13, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N678AD; age 80; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 27, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,638 total, 151 in this make and model, 1,595 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N1370V; age 68; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 23,064 total, 1,650 in this make and model, 14,358 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
- Observed at: 6A2, 6 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20121110026952A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121110026952A), Nov 10, 2012: Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12, Williamson, GA, Minor damage. The RV-12, N678AD aircraft was entering the right downwind traffic pattern for runway 13 at Peachstate Airport, (GA2) Williamson, Georgia, when he collided…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85572. 5.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (RV-12) (item 1, .PDF, 844 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(RV-12)-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Stearman) (item 2, .PDF, 971 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Stearman)-Redacted.PDF
- Statements and Memorandums For Record (item 3, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statements%20and%20Memorandums%20For%20Record-Redacted.PDF
- GPS - Specialist's Factual Report (item 4, .PDF, 5 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=GPS%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Attachment 1 GPS - Specialist's Factual Report (item 5, .CSV, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392828&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Attachment%201%20GPS%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.csv
- Airport Procedures for Operation during High Traffic Periods (item 6, .PDF, 496 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Procedures%20for%20Operation%20during%20High%20Traffic%20Periods-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 1 – Close-up view of damage to the lower left side fuselage of the RV-12 (Provided by the FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20Close-up%20view%20of%20damage%20to%20the%20lower%20left%20side%20fuselage%20of%20the%20RV-12%20(Provided%20by%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 2 – Close-up view of damage to the rudder on the Stearman (Provided by the FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403893&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20Close-up%20view%20of%20damage%20to%20the%20rudder%20on%20the%20Stearman%20(Provided%20by%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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